Newfoundland and Labrador - August / September 2007

This travelogue discusses my "cruise" to northern Labrador on the M/V Northern Ranger. There were a few days in St. John's, Newfoundland on either side. The word "cruise" is in quotes because I've realized that most people don't consider a berth on a coastal ferry / cargo ship to qualify. But it was exactly my sort of excursion.

Why? The best way I can explain is to suggest you pull out an atlas and randomly look at place names. There are people who are naturally drawn to the Paradise Bays of the world and there are people whose heart quickens at the thought they could actually go to Point Desolation or Cape Despair. If you're not one of the latter, you'll never really get it. That's okay. My own mother thinks I'm a changeling.

As for the practicalities, the Ranger is operated by
Provincial Ferry Services. Their web site has schedule, price and route information, but you have to actually pick up the phone to reserve a berth. Maybe it's more crowded mid-summer, but there should be little difficulty in securing a spot for an early September trip unless, possibly, you want a cabin to yourself.

I also needed to get to Goose Bay, Labrador to board the ship. I tried to use frequent flyer miles on Air Canada via Halifax, but was unable to. So I used miles to St. John's, Newfoundland and bought a ticket from there to Goose Bay on
Provincial Airlines. I have to admit to having had some doubts about an airline that uses PayPal to process credit cards for their tickets, but it worked out just fine. For details, read on.